There’s something so satisfying about cozying up to a plate of tender beef bathed in rich gravy, right? This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe hits that comfort food sweet spot, bringing melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s slow-cooked to perfection and bursting with savory flavor. Trust me, you’re going to want to make this your go-to cozy dinner.

A close-up view of thick, rich brown stew with chunks of tender meat coated in a glossy, deep reddish-brown sauce; small pieces of green herbs are scattered on top, adding a touch of fresh color. A wooden spoon holds several pieces of the meat and some of the sauce above the pot, showing a textured and moist surface on the meat with bits of garlic visible in the sauce. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of how effortlessly this dish comes together. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, and hours later, you’ve got dinner ready with minimal hands-on time. It’s perfect for busy weekdays or when you want a fuss-free meal that still feels super satisfying.

Easy Prep: Only about 10 minutes of prep before your slow cooker does all the work.
Flavorful Gravy: A rich, homemade gravy that’s comforting and delicious.
Versatile Serving: Works beautifully over rice, noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes.
Goes With Everything: Perfect for family dinners or meal prep—you’re covered!

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to this recipe, the ingredient list is straightforward, using pantry staples and quality beef stew meat. Make sure to pick beef pieces that are fairly even in size to get that perfect tender texture after slow cooking.

Flat lay of fresh raw beef stew meat chunks, a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals, black peppercorns scattered neatly, dried thyme sprigs, a small mound of minced garlic cloves, a neat heap of dried onion soup mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl with rich brown beef broth, a small white bowl filled with bright red ketchup, a small white bowl containing dark Worcestershire sauce, and a small white bowl of white cornstarch powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Stew Meat: The star of the show—look for cuts with a good bit of marbling for ultimate tenderness.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the beef and helps bring out the seasoning.
Black Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth without overpowering the dish.
Dried Thyme: Brings an herby note that complements the savory gravy nicely.
Minced Garlic: Garlic adds that irresistible aroma and richness.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: This seasoning mix is a secret weapon, infusing the beef with bold onion and herb flavors.
Beef Broth: Provides a flavorful base for the gravy and helps keep the meat moist.
Ketchup: Adds a subtle tang and sweetness, balancing the savory elements.
Worcestershire Sauce: Deepens the umami flavor for a richer taste.
Cornstarch: Thickens the gravy perfectly, giving it that silky, smooth finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to tweak it to match your tastes or what you have on hand, and it will still come out comforting and delicious every time!

Variation: I love adding a splash of red wine or a handful of sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker for an earthy twist. It deepens the flavor and makes the gravy extra rich—perfect for cozy dinners in colder months.
Seasonal Touch: During spring or summer, try stirring in some fresh chopped herbs like rosemary or parsley right before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.
Dietary Option: To lighten things up, swap regular beef broth for a low-sodium version and use less cornstarch if you prefer a thinner gravy. It still tastes great but suits a lighter appetite.
Comfort Classic: Serve your beef tips over creamy mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort or switch to egg noodles for a more traditional Southern-style meal.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

The image shows a white round bowl held by woman's hands, filled with three layers of food. The bottom layer is creamy white mashed potatoes, the middle layer consists of dark brown chunks of beef with thick brown gravy covering most of the mashed potatoes, and the top layer on one side is bright orange cooked baby carrots sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. The bowl is resting on a white marbled surface with some fresh green parsley scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Getting the Beef Ready

Start by placing your stew meat evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. I always check that the pieces are roughly the same size—it helps everything cook perfectly and finish at the same time. No surprises with some parts tough and others overdone!

Step 2: Whisk Together the Flavorful Seasoning Mix

In a medium bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, dried thyme, minced garlic, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the cornstarch is completely dissolved—this will help give your gravy that perfect silky texture.

Step 3: Pour and Prep for Slow Cooking

Pour the seasoning mixture evenly over the stew meat in the slow cooker. Make sure each piece is well coated so every bite is packed with flavor. Then, cover with the slow cooker lid and set it to low.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Let your beef tips cook on low for 8 hours. This low and slow method breaks down the tough connective tissues, making the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender. The aroma filling your kitchen in these hours is such a rewarding preview of the meal to come.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the slow cooker time is up, give everything a gentle stir and serve these succulent beef tips and savory gravy hot over rice, noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple to prepare.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the most tender, flavorful results from your Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe, making your dinner effortless and delicious every time.

Searing the Beef: I always sear the stew meat in a hot skillet before slow cooking; this simple step locks in rich flavors and adds beautiful color to the beef tips.
Cooking Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat for the full 8 hours really transforms the meat into fall-apart tender bites — rushing it on high never gave me the same melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Thickening the Gravy: If you prefer a thicker gravy, don’t hesitate to add a little extra cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking; it’s a quick fix that makes such a difference.
Uniform Meat Size: Avoid uneven cooking by cutting the stew meat into similar-sized pieces; I learned this the hard way when some pieces turned out tough while others were perfectly tender.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

A silver frying pan is shown from above with small pieces of beef cooking inside. The beef chunks have browned edges with a mix of pink and red centers, showing they are partially cooked. The pan has some browned bits and oil residue scattered around the meat. The background is a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the shiny metal pan and the texture of the meat. Steam rises gently from the beef. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley or thyme really brighten this dish and add a lovely pop of color. For a bit of extra warmth and depth, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper on top just before serving complements the savory gravy perfectly.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is wonderfully versatile. It’s traditionally served over creamy mashed potatoes, but I love it over buttery egg noodles or fluffy white rice to soak up every bit of that luscious gravy. Roasted or steamed green beans, sautéed mushrooms, or a simple garden salad also pair beautifully to balance the hearty main.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy has cooled to room temperature, transfer leftovers into airtight containers. Store them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay tasty and safe for up to 3–4 days.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then place portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, warm your leftover beef tips and gravy gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings in short intervals, stirring in between to keep the gravy smooth and prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I cook the beef tips on high heat to save time?

While it’s tempting to speed things up, cooking on low heat for the full 8 hours allows the tough connective tissues to break down fully, resulting in the most tender, flavorful beef. Cooking on high heat can make the meat tough and less juicy.

What can I substitute for dry onion soup mix?

If you don’t have onion soup mix on hand, you can use a blend of onion powder, dried parsley, beef bouillon granules, garlic powder, and paprika to mimic the flavor. Adjust amounts to taste.

How do I make the gravy thicker?

Simply whisk a little more cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker about 15 minutes before the end of cooking. Turn the heat back on and let it thicken for the best consistency.

Can I use a different cut of beef instead of stew meat?

Stew meat is ideal because it becomes tender during slow cooking, but you could also try chuck roast cut into cubes. Just be sure the pieces are uniform for even cooking and allow the full cook time for tenderness.

Final Thoughts

I've always found that this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate—perfect for cozy family dinners or when you want something comforting without fuss. With a few simple ingredients and the magic of slow cooking, you can create a meal that’s both hearty and full of rich, robust flavor. I hope you love making it as much as I do!